Easy opening container end



Sept l2 1967 H. E. FRANKENBERG 3,34,057

EASY OPENING CONTAINER END Filed Dec. l, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet l RG O R T E NB wm mK N A R F E Vl R N E H ATTORNEYS mi@ 22@ fm2 Sept. 12, 1967 H. E. FRANKENBERG 3,341,057'` EASY OPENING CONTAINER END 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 File-d nec. 1, 1964 FIGS INVENTOR HENRY E. F'RANKENBERG ATTORNEYS SePtl2, 1957 H. E. FRANKENBERG 3,341,057

EASY OPENING CONTAINER END Filed Dec. l, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 '.FIGJS INVENTOR HENRY E. FRANKENBEG ATTORNEYS` 3,341,057 EASY OPENING CONTAINER END Henry E. Frankenberg, Berwyn, Ill., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 1, 1964, Ser. No. 414,954 17 Claims. (Cl. 220-54) This inventon relates in general to new and useful improvements in the field of containers, and more particularly to a novel container end of the easy opening type.

During the recent years, there have been developed many types of container ends of the easy opening type. However, those which have proved to be practical to date have the deficiency in that the metal of the container end, although it is weakened, must be ruptured during the opening of the container. It is well known that once an initial rupture has occurred in metal, it will tear readily easily as compared to the force required for the initial rupturing thereof. It is upon this principle that the present invention is based.

In accordance with this invention, it is proposed to provide a container end with a resilient plastic liner, which liner is suitably secured to the underside of the container end, preferably by incorporating peripheral edge portions of the liner within the customary double seam between the container end and the container body, and which liner is more easily rupturable than the metal of the container end, the container end having an initial rupture formed therein wherein the opening of the container primarily requires a force to effect the initial rupture of the liner.

A simpler form of the invention is to provide the end panel of the container end with the desired dispensing opening, and to provide the resilient plastic liner with a projection which extends through the dispensing opening, the projection being so shaped wherein it includes a grippable portion. When it is desired to open the container, one engages the grippable portion of the projection and exerts a pulling force thereon with the result that the portion of the liner which is aligned with the dispensing opening is torn from the remainder of the liner and the container is thus opened.

Another object of this invention is to provide an easy opening container end in accordance with the foregoing wherein the end panel has a relatively sharp edge defining the dispensing opening formed therein so that when an upwardly directed pulling force is exerted on the liner, the liner will be brought into engagement with the relatively sharp edge and thus will be severed.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel container end in accordance with the foregoing wherein the liner is weakened in alignment with the dispensing opening to facilitate the rupture of the liner.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel container end of the easy opening type wherein the container end is partially severed and partially weakened to dene a removable tear strip which has a starting end completely separated from the remainder of the end panel, and there being a liner which underlies the end panel and is suitably secured thereto in sealed relation surrounding the tear strip, the liner further having a removable portion which is attached to the tear strip in a manner wherein when the tear strip is torn from the end panel, the removable portion of the liner is automatically torn therefrom so that a complete opening of the container may result in a single operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel easy opening container end in accordance with the foregoing wherein the connection between the liner and the tear strip is in the form of a plug on the liner which is i' United States Patent O M 3,341,057 Patented Sept. l2, 1967 ICC snapped through an opening in the tear strip and is locked thereto by the plug.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel container end in accordance with the foregoing wherein the liner is formed of a resilient plastic material and the plug is also formed of the same resilient plastic material so as to be readily snappable through the opening in the tear strip and lockable behind the tear strip.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a novel container end of the easy opening type set forth in the foregoing objects wherein the removable portion 0f the liner is defined by weakening lines to facilitate the rupturing of the liner.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an easy opening container end in accordance with the foregoing objects wherein the tear strip has a reinforced starting portion and a cutter element whereby when the tear strip is being removed, the reinforced portion thereof will hinge with respect to the remainder of the tear strip and the cutter will project down through the liner so as to effect the initial rupture of the liner and thus facilitate the removal of the liner.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel easy opening container end of the type set forth above wherein the tear strip and the removable portion of the liner are of an angular configuration wherein a major portion of the container end may be removed in the opening of the same.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a plan view of a container having an end formed in accordance with this invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary top perspective view showing further the details of the container,lparticu larly the details of the end thereof.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top perspective view similar to FIGURE `2 and shows an initial stage in the opening of the container.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View of the container of FIGURE l after it has been opened and shows the arrangement of the openings formed in the end panel and liner of the container end.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 5 5 of FIGURE 1 and shows more specifically the details of construction of the -Container end.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 6 6 of FIGURE 3 and shows the relationship of the components of the container end during the initial stage of the opening of the container.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 7 7 of FIGURE 4 and shows the container end after a portion thereof has been removed in the opening thereof.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 8 8 of FIGURE l and shows the specific construction of the container end and the rela. tionship thereof to an associated container body.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged exploded transverse vertical sectional view taken through the container end prior to the assembling of the liner with the end panel.

FIGURE l0 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom plan view of the container end prior to the assembling of the liner therewith, the view being taken along the line 10 10 of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 1l is an enlarged fragmentary bottom plan 3 View of the liner taken generally along the line 11-11 f FIGURE 9 and shows the specific outline of the removable portion of the liner.

FIGURE 12 is a plan view of a container incorporating a modified form of container end wherein a major portion of the end panel of the container end is removable.

FIGURE 13 is a plan view of another container having incorporated therein still another modified form of container end.

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged fragmentary top perspective view of the container of FIGURE 13 and shows more specifically the details of the easy opening feature thereof.

FIGURE 15 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view through the container of FIGURE 13 along the line 15-15 thereof and shows more specifically the constructional details of the container end and the relationship thereof to a container body.

FIGURE 16 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 16-16 of FIGURE 15 and shows specifically the details of the removable portion of the liner.

FIGURE 17 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to FIGURE 16 and shows the position of the removable portion of the liner during the opening of the container.

FIGURE 18 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to FIGURE 16 and shows a slightly modified form of liner construction.

FIGURE 19 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to FIGURE 16 and shows a modified form of end panel construction.

FIGURE 20 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the container incorporating still a further modification of container end.

FIGURE 21 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 21--21 of FIGURE 20 and shows specifically the details of construction of the easy opening portion of the container end.

FIGURE 22 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to FIGURE 21 and shows specifically the function of the tear strip of the end panel in severing the liner.

FIGURE 23 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 23-23 of FIGURE 21 and shows still further the deails of the container end and the relationship thereof to an associated container body.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there has been illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 11 one form of easy opening container formed in accordance with this invention. The container which is illustrated in the drawings is in the form of a can although it may be of other type of container constructions. The can is generally referred to by the numeral 20 and is formed of a conventional can body 21 which has a lower end thereof (not shown) closed in the normal manner. The upper end of the can body 21 is closed by means of a can end of the easy opening type, the can end being generally referred to by the numeral 22. The can end 22 is secured to the can body 21 by means of a conventional double seam 23.

The can end 22 includes an end panel 24 in which there is formed two diametrically oppositely positioned tear strips 25. Referring to FIGURE 10 in particular, it will be seen that each tear strip 25 is primarily defined by a generally U-shaped score line 26 formed in the underside of the end panel 24. The tear strip 25 has a starting end portion 27 generally in the form of a pull tab, which starting end portion is lof a generally circular out line and which is defined by a generally C-shaped opening 28 in the end panel 24. It is also to be noted that an intermediate portion of the tear strip 25 has an opening 29 therethrough, the opening 29 being defined by an upwardly projecting ange 30.

The can end 22 is provided with a liner 31. The liner 31 is preferably formed of a resilient plastic material and is of a size to completely underlie the end panel 24. Also,

the liner 31 is of a size to extend outwardly beyond the end panel so that a portion of the liner 31 is clamped within the double seam 23, as is clearly shown in FIG- URE 8. The clamping of the peripheral edge of the liner 31 within the double seam 21 provides for an effective sealing of the liner 31 relative to the end panel 24.

Referring now to FIGURES 9 and 11 in particular, it will be seen that the liner 31 is provided with two diametrically oppositely positioned removable portions 32 which are defined by oval score lines 33 formed in the undersurface of the liner 31. It is also to be noted that each removable portion 32 is provided adjacent one end thereof with an integral projection in the form of a plug 34. The plug 34 is vof a resilient construction and has a shoulder 35 which opposes the liner 31. It will be readily apparent that the plugs 34 may be snapped through the openings 29 in the tear strips 25 so as to provide interlocks between the liner 31 and the end panel 24. These same interlocks are between the removable portions 32 of the liner 31 and the tear strips 25 of the end panels 24.

In the formation of the can 20, a can end is formed in the usual manner for securement to a can body, after which the tear strips 25 are defined therein. The liner 31 is then assembled with the can end 22 by snapping the plugs 34 thereof through the openings 29. The assembled can end is then applied to the can body 21 in a conventional manner with the peripheral portion of the liner 31 being tightly clamped between the peripheral portion of the can end 22 and the upper end of the can body 21. It will be readily apparent that since the liner 31 is sealed with respect to the can body 21, although the end panel 24 has been perforated at two places, there can be no leakage through the end panel at this time.

Attention is also directed to the fact that although metal has been removed from the end panel 24 in the formation of the starting end portions 27 of the tear strips 25, the liner 31 underlying the areas of removed lmetal is imperforate and therefore, pressure from within the can 20 will in no way effect the rupture of the liner in alignment with the opening 28.

It is also -to be noted that the portion of -the tear strip adjacent the starting end portion 27 thereof also overlies an imperforate portion of the liner 31 so that the liner 31 supports the one end of the tear strip 25 against accidental rupture.

Although the liner 31 is weakened by the score line 33 to facilitate lthe removal of the portion 32, it is to be noted that the weakened portion of the liner 31 is remote from the starting end of the tear strip 25 sothat accidental rupture of the liner 31 is prevented.

When it is desired to open the can 20 for dispensing purposes, the starting end portion 27 is lifted and then grasped between ones lingers so as to be moved upwardly to effect the tearing of the end panel 24 along the associated score line 26 in the manner clearly shown in FIGURE 3. As the tearing of the end panel 24 along the score line 26 to effect the removal of the tear strip 25 progresses, the continued upward movement of the tear strip 25 results in an upwardly directed force being applied to the removabe portion 32 of the liner 31 through t-he plug 34 carried thereby. Thus, as the tear strip 25 is torn from the end panel 24, the removable portion 32 -of `the liner associated therewith is also torn away. Thus, in a single operation, the tear strip 25 and the removable portion 32 are removed and a dispensing opening is formed in lthe can end 22. The opening of the can 20 is completed by removing the other of the tear strips 25 and the associated removable portion 32 of the liner 31. It is to be understood that one of the two formed openings will be the dispensing opening and the other will be the vent opening. The appearance of the can end in its opened condition is clearly shown in FIGURES 4 and 7.

Referring now to FIGURES 20 through 23, it will be seen that there is illustrated a modified form of can end which is generally referred to by the numeral 42. The

can end 42 Ihas an end panel 44 which corresponds to lthe end panel 24. The end Ipanel 44 will have formed therein two removable tear strips 45 of which only one is illustrated. Each tear strip 45 is primarily defined by a generally U-shaped score line 46 formed in the underside of the end panel 45. A generally C-shaped opening 47 is formed in the end panel 44 so as to define a rounded starting end portion 48 for the tear strip 45, the starting end portion 4S being in the form of a tab.

The tear strip 45 differs from the tear strip 25 primarily in that it is provided adjacent a plug receiving opening 49 therein with a generally V-shaped cutout 50 which defines a pointed cutter 51 which is directed towards the asso-ciated opening 49. Also, that portion of the tear strip 45, including the starting end portion 48, remote from the opening 49 and adjacent the cutter 51 is reinforced by a suitable embossing 52, as is clearly shown in FIGURES and 23. It is also pointed out at this time that the opening 49 is defined by an upstanding annular flange 54.

The can end 42 includes a liner 31 which has a pair of integral plugs 34 formed therein. The plugs 34 are snapped thro-ugh the openings 49 of the end panel 44 in the same manner as that described with respect to the end panel 24 of the can end 22. Also, the peripheral portion of the liner 31 is clamped within the double seam 23 connecting the cam end 42 to the can body 21, as is clearly shown in FIGURE 23.

' It is to be noted that when the liner 31 is associated with the can end 42, it is still provided with suitable score lines 33 dening the removable portion 32 thereof. However, the can end 42 differs from the can end 22 on the principle that it is diicult to initially rupture the liner 31 even though that portion thereof which is to be removed is defined by a continuous score line 33. By making the starting portion of the tear strip 45 relatively rigid and providing the cutter 51 aft the end of the reinforced starting portion of the tear strip, it will be seen that when an upwardly directed force is applied to the starting end of the tear strip 45, the first part of the tear strip `45 will lift upwardly as a rigid unit with the result that the cutter 51 pivots downwardly and punctures the liner 31, as is clearly shown in FIGURE 22. Having effected an initial rupture of the liner 31 along the score line 33, it will be seen that a further upwardly directed force on the tear strip- 45 will result in the simultaneous tearing of the tear strip 45 from the end panel 44 and the removable portion 32 from the liner 31. It is believed that the advantages of the rigid construction of the tear strip and the associated relationship -of the cutter 51 are obvious and no further description thereof will be made here.

The container ends 22 and 42 have been illustrated as being of the type particularly adapted for the dispensing of liquids and have easy opening features which permit the ready formation of dispensing openings and vent openings. However, the inventive concept incorpo-rated in these container ends is not restricted to the formation of a -dispensing opening or a vent opening. As is clearly illustrated in FIGURE 12, the same inventive concept may be utilized in a can end wherein a major portion of the end panel thereof is removed. The can end of FIG- URE 12 is generally referred to by the numeral 62 and includes an end panel 64. The end panel 64 is provided with a pair of circumferential score lines 65 in t-he underside thereof which define therebetween a removable tear strip 66. The tear strip 66 has a starting end 67 which is generally circular in outline and which is defined by a C-shaped cutl 68v through the metal of the end panel 64.

The can end 62 has incorporated therein a liner of the same general type as the liner 31. However, in lieu of the relatively short removable portions 32 of the liner 31, the liner associated with the can end 62 has a substantially annular removable portion. The removable lportion of the liner associated with the end 62 has a single plug 34 which is snapped through an associated opening in the tear strip 66 adjacent the starting end 67 thereof in the manner described above.

When it is desired toopen the can of which the can end 62 is a part, the starting end portion 67 is lifted, followed by a tearing of the end panel 64 along the score line 65 to effect a removal of the tear strip 66. As the removal of the tear strip 66 progresses, the connection between the tear strip 66 and the underlying removable portion of the liner through the plug 34 results in the tearing of the liner in the same manner as the end panel 64 so that opening of the can .is facilitated. It is to be noted that a central panel 69 of the end panel 64 defined by the tear strip 66 will be removed therewith. A similar central panel of the liner will also be removed at the same time.

Referring now to FIGURES 13 through 17, it will be `seen that there is illustrated a can construction which incorporates the broad inventive concept set forth above, but which employs a can end of the type which requires no rupture of the metal thereof in the opening of the can. The can end illustrated in FIGURES 13 through 17 is generally referred to by the numeral 70 and includes `a conventional can body 71 which is provided at the upper end thereof with a can end 72, the can end 72 being secured to the can body 71 by means of a conventional double seam 73. The can end 72 is for the most part of av conventional construction and includes an end panel 74 in which two generally circular openings 75 are formed in diametrically opposite relation. As is best shown in FIGURE 15, a liner 76 completely underlies the end panel 74 and effects the sealing of the openings 75 formed therein. It is to be noted that the liner 76 is formed of a resilient plastic material and extends outwardly beyond the extremities of the end panel 74, the peripheral edge portion of the liner 76 being clamped within the double seam 73 so as to effect a seal between the liner 76 and the can body 71 and the can end 72.

It is to be noted that the liner 76 is provided with a projection 77 in alignment with each of the openings 75. When the liner 76 is secured in place relative to the can end 72, the projections 77 extend through the openings 75, as is clearly shown in FIGURES 15 and 16. Each of the projections 77 is provided with an extension 78 in the form of a pull tab, which extension overlies an adjacent portion of the end panel 74.

When it is desired to open the can 70, an upwardly directed pull is exerted on the extension 78 and that portion of the liner 76 which surrounds the associated projection 77 is drawn upwardly into the associated opening 75. When sufficient upwardly directed force is applied through the extension 78, the liner 76 will be sheared along the boundary of the opening 75, as is shown in FIGURE 17, and a portion of the liner 76 having an outline corresponding to that of the opening 75 is removed from the liner 76 to effect the opening of the can 70.

Referring now to FIGURE 18, in particular, it will be seen that when it is desired to facilitate the removal of the porti-on of the liner 76 through the openings 75, the liner 76 may be weakened by forming a score line 79 in the underside thereof in alignment with the openings 75. It will be readily apparent that the tearing of the removable portion of the liner 76 may now be greatly facilitated.

In FIGURE 19 there is illustrated a minor variation of the end panel 74. It is to be noted that surrounding the openings 75 the end panel 74 is provided with a curl 80. The curl 80 is generally upwardly and then downwardly so as to shift the Iboundary of the opening 75 from a position perpendicular to the plane of the end panel 74, as is shown in FIGURE 17, to a diagonal position. This provides a sharp edge 81 which extends entirely about the opening 75. Furthermore, the sharp edge 81 is downwardly directed so that when an upwardly directed force is applied on the portion of the liner 76 within the general confines of the sharp edge 81, and the liner 76 is pulled upwardly through the opening 75, severing thereof will be greatly facilitated and the force required to effect the severing of the liner 76 will be greatly reduced.

It will be .readily apparent from the foregoing that there has been provided several highly desirable can end constructions wherein the opening force required is greatly restricted `as compared to can ends of the type presently in use. It will be readily apparent that the effective use of an inexpensive resilient plastic liner permits the can end to either be sufiiciently weakened or the metal thereof to be sufficiently removed so that a major part of the opening force is directed to the severing of the resilient plastic liner as opposed to the tearing of the metal.

Although only several embodiments of the invention have been specifically illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that other variations may be made in the construction of the can ends within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A container end of the easy opening type comprising an end panel having means for defining a dispensing opening, a liner underlying said dispensing opening defining means and being sealable to the underside of said end panel along an area thereof surrounding said dispensing opening defining means, and a projection on said liner extending through said end panel for facilitating the rupture of said liner in alignment with said dispensing opening defining means, said liners being formed of a resilient plastic material and said projection being integral with said liner, and said liner being weakened generally in alignment with said dispensing opening defining means to facilitate the rupturing of said liner.

2. A container end of the easy opening type comprising an end panel, an integral but removable tear strip defined in said end panel for forming a dispensing opening, a liner underlying said end panel and being sealed relative thereto completely surrounding said tear strip, and means securing a portion of said liner to said tear strip for removal therewith.

3. The container end of claim 2 wherein said means securing the removable portion of said liner to s-aid tear strip includes an integral projection on said liner passing through an opening in said tear strip and interlocked with said tear strip.

4. The container end of claim 2 wherein said means securing the removable portion of said liner to said tear strip include an integral projection on said liner passing through an opening in said tear strip and interlocked with said tear strip, said liner being formed of a resilient plastic material and s-aid projection being in the form of a selflocking plug.

5. A container end of the easy opening type comprising an end panel, an integral but removable tear strip defined in said end panel for forming a dispensing opening in said end panel, said te-ar strip forming a minor portion of said end panel and having a starting end completely severed from said end panel to facilitate the manual removal of said tear strip, a liner underlying said end panel and being sealed relative thereto completely surrounding said tear strip, and means integral with said liner mechanically securing a portion of said liner to said tear strip for removal therewith.

6. The container end of claim 5 wherein said liner is weakened to define said removable portion, said liner removable portion starting in recessed spaced relation to said tear strip starting end.

7. The container end of claim 6 wherein said tear strip is reinforced lbetween said starting end and said liner removable portion.

8. The container end of claim 6 wherein said tear strip has an intermediate cutter element aligned with the starting end of said liner removable portion with said cutter being automatically operable during the removal of said tear strip to initially rupture said liner.

9. The container end of claim 6 wherein said tear strip has an intermediate cutter element aligned with the starting end of said liner removable portion with said cutter being automatically operable during the removal of said tear strip to initially rupture said liner, and said tear strip is reinforced between said starting end and said liner removable portion.

10. The -container end of claim 5 wherein said tear strip and said liner removable portion are continuous with those portions of said end panel and said liner surrounded by said tear strip being movable therewith.

11. A container end of the easy opening type comprising an end panel, a dispensing opening formed in said end panel, a resilient plastic liner underlying said end panel and being sealed relative to said end panel surrounding said dispensing opening, said liner having an integral thickened portion in the form of a projection of a size and shape to freely pass through said dispensing opening and said projection extending through lsaid dispensing opening, and said projection including a readily grippable portion for exerting a rupturing force on said liner, said liner being weakened in general alignment with the boundaries of said dispensing opening.

12. A container element of the easy opening type comprising a panel having a removable tear strip integrally formed therein and defined by a peripheral weakening line, a pull tab integrally connected to said tear strip at one end thereof and forming an extension thereof, said pull tab being severed from said panel, a liner bonded to an inner surface of said panel surrounding said tear strip and said pull tab in sealed relation, said liner having a removable portion underlying said tear strip and of a lesser plan size than said tear strip, and means securing said liner removable portion to said tear strip for removal therewith.

13. The container element of claim 12 wherein said liner removable portion is of the same width as said tear strip and of a lesser length.

14. The container element of claim 12 wherein said liner removable portion is of the same width as said tear strip and of a lesser length and has a terminal end aligned with the end of said tear strip disposed remote from said pull tab.

15. The container element of claim 12 wherein said tear strip has a cutter aligned with a starting end of said liner removable portion to facilitate the initial rupture of said liner.

16. The container element of claim 15 wherein said tear strip is reinforced-against transverse bending intermediate said cutter and said pull tab.

17. The container element of claim 12 wherein said `securing means includes an aperture in said tear strip and an integral plug on said liner removable portion extending through said tear strip and being interlocked therewith.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,146,226 2/1939 Punte 220-47 2,870,935 l/l959 Houghtelling 220-53 3,186,582 6/1965 Henchert 220-54 3,190,485 6/1965 DAndrea et al 220-48 3,241,708 3/1966 Ronci 220--53 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

G T. HALL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CONTAINER END OF THE EASY OPENING TYPE COMPRISING AN END PANEL HAVING MEANS FOR DEFINING A DISPENSING OPENING, A LINER UNDERLYING SAID DISPENSING OPENING DEFINING MEANS AND BEING SEALED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID END PANEL ALONG AN AREA THEREOF SURROUNDING SAID DISPENSING OPENING DEFINING MEANS, AND A PROJECTION ON SAID LINER EXTENDING THROUGH SAID END PANEL FOR FACILITAING THE RUPTURE OF SAID LINER IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID DISPENSING OPEN- 